The February issue of Infection Control Today features a full page ad for Baxter's V-Link Luer Activated Device with VitalShield Protective Coating/Kills common pathogens known to cause CR-BSIs--In a previous thread it's clear that many out there are searching for the "best" valve--Anyone with knowledge of this product willing to share their impression? Â
Mari Cordes, BS RNIII VA-BC
Vascular Access Department
University of Vermont Medical Center
T. Nauman RN, CRNI IV Educator SHMC Eugene, OR
Has anyone heard anything new on the V-Link, read any studies or trialed these? The Baxter rep gave us a brochure last week. Our main concern right now is that they don't have a positive displacement valve.
T. Nauman RN, CRNI
The V Link is the ClearLink device that is impregnated with silver. To my knowledge, there are no studies about its use that are available yet. Lynn
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
www.hadawayassociates.com
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861
Chris,
According to the 510K, the V-Link is identical to Baxter's Clearlink. It is my understanding that the only difference is that it now has antimicrobial incorporated into the connector.
Couple of things about the Clearlink. It is a negative displacement connector with a pretty large negative displacement amount. You can do a demo to see this. Put the Clearlink on any peripheral extension set. Attach a flush syringe to the connector & prime the line until the fluid is at the end of the line. As you're removing the flush syringe from the connector, look at the fluid level at the tip of the IV set and observe how far the fluid level moves back in the iv set. The empty space left in the iv ext. set from the fluid moving up the line depicts how much blood will have refluxed into the line.
Shawn
Kathy Kokotis
Bard Access Systems
If I an not mistaken this design comes out of Spain. I believe it does have one clinical study on this design done 7 years ago. I will look it up and cite the reference.
kathy
Kathy Kokotis
Bard Access Systems
ICU Medical also has an antimicrobial MicroClave coming out int he next few weeks. I have not taken the time to do much research about it, just waiting for it to hit the market.
Nancy L. Moureau, BSN, CRNI
PICC Excellence, Inc
Nancy L. Moureau, PhD, RN, CRNI, CPUI, VA-BC
PICC Excellence, Inc.
[email protected]
www.piccexcellence.com
Have used this valve in North Carolina and it may be appropriate for PIV but the reflux is huge and for this reason not using on CVCs.
Stephen Harris RN, CRNI
Stephen Harris RN, CRNI, VA-BC
Chief Clinical Officer
Carolina Vascular Wellness